Folding table



March 22, 1949. 4 A. E. PULS mL l 2,464,939

FOLDING vTABLE Filed April 13, 1944 :s sheets-sheet 1 f fi Y b A ,cm 19H/f 1?( 27, ,C wwf/4f #rra/ways March 22, 1949.A A, E, ULS ETAL l 2,464,939

FOLDING TABLE Filed April 13, 1944 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .fi Y 14 d f W f ,a

rroR/ve ys March Z2, 1949. A E, pULs ET AL 2,464,939

FOLDING TABLE Filed April 13, 19.44 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 -INVENTOR5 B '7 ,douane 404% Patented Mar. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING TABLE Application April 13, 1944, Serial No. 530,782

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a combination fo1dable chair and table, and has for .its general object to provide a construction for such an article of furniture as will enable the same to be produced with the employment of a minimum proportion of metallic parts but which will nevertheless, be efficient in operation while relatively inexpensive of production and which will possess a high degree of stability. As shown and described herein, the combined 'chair and table is designed with particular reference to its adaptability for use by infants, although certain features of construction are capable of a more general application.

More limited objects of the invention will be set forth in the descriptive part of the specification and will be realized in and through the combinations of elements set forth in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings forming part hereof, Fig. 1 represents a perspective View of a combined foldable chair and table constructed in accordance with our invention and showing the arrangement of the parts with the chair occupying its unfolded positlon; Fig. 2 a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows and showing in dot-anddash lines the positions occupied by the supporting members when the latter are folded; Fig. 3 a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig.

yi a detail in sectional elevation showing the means for holding the supporting members in distended position; Fig. 5 a detail in sectional elevation showing the manner in which the supporting members are pivotally connected to the skirts; Fig. 6 a view on an enlarged scale corresponding to the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the positions oc-cupied by the parts when the supporting members and the chair are in folded position; and Fig. '7 an inverted plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 6, the supporting members being omitted.

Describing the parts by reference characters, I0 and I0a designate a pair of opposed members and |0b and I0 another pair of opposed members of the upper frame or apron of the table, the ends of the members of the first pair overlapping the ends of the members of the second pair and being secured thereto as by screws. A table top is inserted between the aforesaid members and is made of any suitable material, such as a plywood, or molded material, such as Masonite." The members I0b and Illc are of less depth than the members |0 and I0. The table is provided with opposed supporting members pivotally connected to the members I0b and I0 of the skirt, respectively. Each of these supporting members comprises a top rail I2 and a bottom rail I3, the top rails cooperating when fully distended, with the members |01 and I 0 to make the combined depth of the said rails and members equal to the depth of the members I 0 and |01. The rails, being of the same length as the members Illb and 10, will be received between the members I0 and I lla when folded upwardly, as shown in Fig. 2. The ends of the rails I2 and I3 are connected by end posts I4 and the intermediate portions by vertical posts I5, preferably narrower in width than the width of the end posts. The members Ill- I0c and the foldable supports therefor are preferably formed of wood, the upper ends of the supporting members being pivotally connected to the members Illb and Iiic of the frame or apron in the following manner:

I0 denotes metallic straps which are fastened to the members I0 and lila, as by screws IEE. The central portion I6b of each strap is pressed outwardly from the end portions thereof to provide a recess for the reception of one of the heads of a rivet Il', the opposite end of the rivet extending through the outer end of one of the anges I8 of an angular hinge bracket. The other flange I9 of said bracket is secured, as by screws 20, to the corner portion of the upper rail I2 adjacent thereto. The end of the rivet I'I which extends through the ange i8 is provided with a head Ila.

By hinging the opposed supporting members to the apron members I0 and Illa by means of the angle brackets and by making the top rails I2 constitute, when the supporting members are extended, continuations of the opposed apron members I0b and Itlc, we obtain the following important advantages:

a. Economy in the amount of wood utilized. This economy is vital at all times and is especially vital where there is a lack of availability of wood for the construction of tables. This economy results from the fact that we can utilize narrower widths of wood than is obtainable where the top rails do not form parts of the apron members when the supporting members of which they constitute parts are extended.

b. We provide a strong construction, ducA to the abutting of the top surfaces of the top rails with the bottom surfaces of the apron members I0b and I0c and also due to the manner in which these top rails are connected tothe apron members I0 and Illa. This connection not only avoids exertion of pressure tending to spring the ends of the members I0 and IIJa apart as the supporting members are swung to their extended positions but also provides a most efficient and strengthening connection between the ends of the top rails and the members I0 and |08.

c. Ease and accuracy of assembly. The surfaces of the tops of the rails I2 and the surfaces of the bottoms of the members |0b and |0 being properly squared, the surfaces of the tops of the rails may be abutted against the surfaces of the bottoms of the said members before assembling the brace rods 2| and their supporting means, thus enabling anchors for the ends of the rods to be positioned so that the supporting members may be supported in a vertical position when extended.

For the purpose of enabling the table supporting members to be folded to positions parallel with the table top and with one of the members in engagement with the foot rest of a chair (when the chair is in its folded position) and with the other member engaging the former member, the flanges or arms of the hinges which pivotally connect one of the said members to the members Ib and |0 of the table top frame or skirt are made shorter than those which connect the other supporting member to said members I0b and |0, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 2,

wherein the flange or arm |8 of the hinge bracket at the right hand corner of the table is shown to be materially shorter than the like-designated flange or arm of the hinge bracket at the opposite corner. Due to this construction, the supporting member having the shorter hinge bracket flanges or arms I8 can be folded up to the position shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2 with the supporting member having the longer hinge bent at right angles, as shown at 2|, and extending through an aperture provided in the elevated central portion 22a of a metal strap 22, the straps being secured to the members IIJ@l and I0", as by screws 22h. The opposite end of each of the brace rods is bent at right angles to the body thereof, as shown at 2lb, and extends through a bore 14a, provided therefor in the appropriate rail I4 and extending from one side of the latter to and communicating with a counterbore I4b extending from the opposite side of the said rail. The end of the portion 2|b of each brace rod is anchored in place within a counterbore |4b by means of a washer 23 which is slipped over the end of such portion, the outer end of such portion being split, as shown at 2 thereby providing a head to prevent the withdrawal of the end portion 2 |b of the brace rod from the said rail |4. When it is desired to fold the supporting members, it is necessary only to spring the short end portions 2|P- out of the apertures provided therefor in the brackets 22, whereupon the said members may be folded up to the positions shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2.

The folding chair and the manner of supporting the same as shown herein are substantially the same as is the case with our application Serial No. 483,588, led April 19, 1943 (now Patent No. 2,400,134). This chair is made principally of canvas or similar fabric and comprises two strips of such fabric, one of which, designated generally at A, comprises a back section 24, a seat section 25 and a leg supporting Section 26. The section 24 is provided with a loop 24a, at its upper end which is adapted to be projected in collapsed condition through a slot 21a provided between the bottom of the table top and one of the frame members 21 which is secured to the said top below and closely adjacent to the rear of a rectangular opening C in the top thereof. When so projected, an anchoring rod 24h of greater diameter than the width of said slot is inserted into the said loop.

The section 26 is provided at its lower end with an upper and a lower row of tabs, indicated at 28 and 28e. The other and supporting fabric strip is indicated generally at B and comprises side sections 29 and 29'L and a. seat section 30 which is adapted to extend beneath the seat section 25 of the former strip A and to be stitched or otherwise secured thereto to provide a pocket for the reception of a stiiening board 3|. The upper ends of the sections 29 and 29a are provided respectively with loops 32 and 33 which are adapted to be passed in collapsed condition through slots 21b and 21 provided between the table top and the frame members 21 which are at opposite sides of the rectangular opening C. After the loops have been so passedI anchoring rods 34 and 35 are inserted thereinto, respectively, said rods being of greater diameter than the width of said slots.

A fabric strap 36 has its lower end secured to and beneath the seat section 30 on the strip B and is provided with a loop 36e at its upper end which is adapted to be passed in collapsed condition through a slot 21l formed between the upper portion of the front frame member 21 and the portion of the table top thereabove and, after having been so passed, to receive therewithin an anchoring rod 31 of a greater diameter than the width of the slot. A suiiicient space is provided between each side section 29 and 30 and the sides of the strap 36, respectively adjacent thereto, to accommodate the leg of an infant occupying the chair.

38 denotes foot-rest hangers which are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the outer surfaces of the side members 21, respectively, of the frame which is located below and surrounds the rectangular opening C, the pivotal connections of said hangers being made with the portions of the side members which project forwardly beyond the said opening, said connections being indicated at 39 on Figs. 1 and 3. These hangers are connected at their lower ends by a cross bar 40 and are provided each with a vertical series of openings 4| for the reception of pivot studs 42, which pivot studs serve to secure to the outer sides of said hangers side members 43 of a foot rest, the extended bottom of which is indicated at 44. The bottom of the foot rest is provided with a slot 44b through which the lower end of the leg-supporting section 26 of the chair seat extends, the lower end of the said section being passed in front of and beneath the brace rod 40 and'being secured thereto by knotting together the tapes 28 and 28e. The foot rest may be adjusted verti- Gally along the hangers 38, to accommodate varying sizes of infants, by merely removing the studs 42 and moving the foot rest upwardly or downwardly to the desired position and then inserting the studs into the openings in the side members and the registering openings in the hangers. This adjustment can be made without disconnesting the lower end of the seat section 26 from the rod 40.

The side frame members by which opposite ends of the supporting seat section are supported are extended forwardly beyond the other frame members and the hangers 38 are held in their operative positions by means of light metallic brace rods 50 each having its upper end bent inwardly whereby these ends may be removably inserted into apertures in the outer sides of the extended front portions of the side frame members 21 and each of said braces having its lower end bent outwardly whereby it may also be removably connected to the appropriate hanger 38. The foot rest can be folded upwardly against the hangers by disconnecting the lower ends of the brace rods from the hangers, whereupon the entire seat, including the hangers and the foot rest, may be folded up within the confines of the table apron or frame, with the seat sections A and B (with the exception of the lower end of the foot rest portion 26) within the connes of the frame members 21 and with the foot rest extending across and bearing against the bottoms of the rearwardly extending portions of the side frame members. The foot rest frame, which includes the hangers 38 and the cross member 40, is of su'icient width to enable the hangers and the side members 43 to fold over the rear of the main seat frame. This contributes to compactness and also enables the foot rest proper to be supported directly by the rear portions of the side members of the frame surrounding the aperture C, thus relieving any leverage strain which might be exerted by pressure (due to packing) of the swinging end of the foot rest frame against the entire table top by enabling the pressure exerted upon such end to be transmitted to the top throughout the length of the side members.

In practice, we provide a rigid back rest 5l the lower end of which is adapted to be inserted between the bottom of the back section 24 and a strap 52 extending across the front of the said section at the lower end thereof. This back rest may also constitute the cover for the opening.

Due to the construction shown and described herein, we have produced a combined foldable chair and table, for use by infants, wherein a minimum number of metallic parts are employed but which is not only relatively inexpensive of production but which possesses a high degree of stability, since the posts I4, which correspond in position to the legs of an ordinary table, are combined with top and bottom rails whereby, should a brace rod 2| which is connected with one of the posts i4 become disengaged, it would be impossible for the said post to be dislodged from its vertical position because of the fact that it is united to the opposite post l@ by the rails I2 and I3.

Still further advantages of construction havev been pointed out hereinbefore in connection with the manner in which the supporting members are secured to the corresponding frame members of the table top whereby they may be folded inwardly into a position parallel with the table top but with one of the supporting members resting upon the other. Still further, the manner in which the foot rest is connected with the hangers enables the foot rest to be held in distended position by engagement of the rear edge thereof with the front faces of the hangers.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A foldable table having a top comprising an apron having pairs of opposed members, supports each comprising a top rail and vertical corner members connected to and depending from said top rail, means pivotally connecting the opposite ends of the top rails of the said supports with the end portions of the members of one of the said pairs of opposed members which are respectively adjacent to the opposite ends of the top rails, the pivotal connections being so arranged that, when the said supports are in their extended positions, the top rails thereof will register with and abut with their upper surfaces the bottom surfaces of the members of the other of the said pairs of opposed members, and bracing means connecting the said supports with the members to which they are respectively pivotally connected for holding the said supports in their extended positions, the pair of opposed members with which the top rails register when the supports are in their extended positions being of less depth than the depth of the members oi the other pair of opposed members and the combined depth of the top rails and the members with which they register being substantially equal to the depth of the members of the other pair of opposed members.

2. A foldable table having a top comprising an apron made from pairs oi' opposed members, one of said pairs of opposed members being of greater height than the other, supports each comprising an elongate top rail and corner members connected to and depending from said top rail, means pivotally connecting the opposite ends of the top rails of the said supports to said apron, the pivotal connections being so arranged that, when the said supports are in their extended positions, the top rails thereof will register with and abut with their upper surfaces the bottom surfaces of the shorter members of the said pairs of opposed members, said supports being constructed and arranged to form vertically directed extensions of the shorter pair of said apron members by the said top rails when said supports are in their extended positions, and bracing means connecting the said supports with the portions of said apron to which they are pivotally connected for holding the said supports in extended positions.

ALFRED E. PULS. EDWARD R. SWENSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 134,668 Heinrichs Jan. 7, 1873 246,217 Sargent Aug. 23, 1881 283,211 Cook Aug. 14, 1883 1,206,570 Marsh Nov. 28, 1916 1,404,572 Bowman Jan. 24, 1922 1,563,473 Colladay Dec. 1, 1925 1,635,279 King July 12, 1927 1,697,550 Amaducci Jan. l, 1929 1,774,364 Gale Aug. 26, 1930 1,875,772 Strathaus Sept. 6, 1932 1,938,350 Oishei Dec. 5, 1933 1,959,725 Lindsay May 22, 1934 2,161,658 Hansburg June 6, 1939 2,241,626 Baxter May 13, 1941 2,291,373 Button July 28, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,479 Great Britain 1905 22,006 Netherlands 1929 425,394 Germany Feb. 18, 1926 516,333 Great Britain 1939 

